Device for Equalization of the Pressure in the Middle Ear

Abstract

A device for obtaining an equalization of a negative pressure in the middle ear is disclosed. The device comprises a facemask, an air pump and an air reservoir, all of them connected to a connecting tube. An increased air pressure is created by expiration into the facemask and/or by activating the air pump. A sufficient rise in air pressure in the device makes the air reservoir to expand, and this creates an increased pressure in the mouth/nose cavity and opens the Eustachian tube and forces air into the middle ear for equalization of the negative pressure in the middle ear.

1 . A device for obtaining an equalization of a negative pressure in the middle ear of a human being, having a face with a nose and a mouth, wherein the device comprises:
 a facemask ( 1 ), which facemask ( 1 ) is adapted to tightly cover at least the nose and mouth, thereby creating an air chamber between the face and the facemask, and which facemask has a facemask air channel ( 2 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air chamber,   an air source ( 5 ), having the capacity to deliver an increased air pressure compared to the atmospheric air pressure through an air source outlet ( 13 ),   an air reservoir ( 7 ), having a reservoir air channel ( 8 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air reservoir ( 7 ), which air reservoir ( 7 ) is designed to define and maintain an air pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and work like a pressure regulator when loaded,   and a tube structure ( 3 ), having an interior and at least three openings ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ) adapted for connecting the facemask air channel ( 2 ), the air source outlet ( 13 ) and the reservoir air channel ( 8 ) to the tube structure interior.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air reservoir ( 7 ) is an elastic inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air reservoir is designed to maintain a counter pressure of 20-80 mBar when loaded. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1  a security pressure relief valve ( 10 ) for pressure monitoring the tube structure interior is connected to the tube structure ( 3 ). 
     
     
         5 . A device for obtaining an equalization of a negative pressure in the middle ear of a human being, having a face with a nose and a mouth, wherein the device comprises:
 a facemask ( 1 ), which facemask ( 1 ) is adapted to tightly cover at least the nose and mouth, thereby creating an air chamber between the face and facemask, and which facemask has a facemask air channel ( 2 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air chamber,   an air source ( 5 ) having the capacity to deliver an increased air pressure compared to the atmospheric air pressure through an air source outlet ( 13 ),   an air reservoir ( 7 ), having, a reservoir air channel ( 8 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air reservoir ( 7 ), which air reservoir ( 7 ) is designed to define and maintain an air pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and work like a pressure regulator when loaded,   a tube structure ( 3 ), having and interior and at least three openings ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ) adapted for connecting the facemask air channel ( 2 ), the air source outlet ( 13 ) and the reservoir air channel ( 8 ) to the tube structure interior, and   an adjustable relief valve ( 11 ) connected to the tube structure ( 3 ) to control the maximum pressure of the tube structure interior.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable relief valve ( 11 ) is adjustable to release pressure in the range from 0 to 100 mBar. 
     
     
         7 . A device for obtaining an equalization of a negative pressure in the middle ear of a human being, having a face with a nose and a mouth, wherein the device comprises:
 a facemask ( 1 ), which facemask ( 1 ) is adapted to tightly cover at least the nose and mouth, thereby creating an air chamber between the face and facemask, and which facemask has a facemask air channel ( 2 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air chamber,   an air source ( 5 ) having the capacity to deliver an increased air pressure compared to the atmospheric air pressure through an air source outlet ( 13 ),   an air reservoir ( 7 ), having a reservoir air channel ( 8 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air reservoir ( 7 ), which air reservoir ( 7 ) is designed to define and maintain an air pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and work like a pressure regulator when loaded,   a tube structure ( 3 ), having and interior and at least three openings ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ) adapted for connecting the facemask air channel ( 2 ), the air source outlet ( 13 ) and the reservoir air channel ( 8 ) to the tube structure interior, and a check valve ( 12 ) connected between the air source ( 5 ) and the tube structure ( 3 ), allowing air flow into the tube structure.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the check valve ( 12 ) is arranged to cooperate with the adjustable relief valve ( 11 ) so that when the check valve is open the release valve is closed. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube structure ( 3 ) comprises one or several interconnected tube shaped components, coupled to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air source is a powered air pump ( 5 ), and that the air pump ( 5 ) comprises means for not permitting air flow in the opposite pump direction. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air source ( 5 ) is a manually operated bellow pump. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the facemask ( 1 ) is removable from the connecting tube ( 3 ) in order to allow a choice of facemask of a size well suited for the human being in question to be provided. 
     
     
         13 . A device for obtaining an equalization of a negative pressure in the middle ear of a human being, having a face with a nose and a mouth, wherein the device comprises:
 a facemask ( 1 ), which facemask ( 1 ) is adapted to tightly cover at least the nose and mouth, thereby creating an air chamber between the face and facemask, and which facemask has a facemask air channel ( 2 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air chamber,   an air source ( 5 ) having the capacity to deliver an increased air pressure compared to the atmospheric air pressure through an air source outlet ( 13 ),   an air reservoir ( 7 ), having a reservoir air channel ( 8 ) which allows air to flow in or out of the air reservoir ( 7 ), which air reservoir ( 7 ) is designed to define and maintain an air pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and work like a pressure regulator when loaded,   a tube structure ( 3 ), having and interior and at least three openings ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ) adapted for connecting the facemask air channel ( 2 ), the air source outlet ( 13 ) and the reservoir air channel ( 8 ) to the tube structure interior, wherein facemask ( 1 ) is provided with a piece ( 17 ) resembling a baby pacifier or a rubber nipple.   
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the piece ( 17 ) replaceable and optional for installation in the facemask. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air reservoir ( 7 ) and/or the air source ( 5 ) is hidden in a funny figure in the shape of a puppet or a cuddle toy. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises means for providing optical or visual feedback to the patient when the air reservoir is loaded.